Sales slide by 30% at motor show
More than 3,000 vehicles have been purchased during the first three days of the Bangkok International Motor Show - a drop of 30 per cent from last year's figure - suggesting a relatively low desire to spend in the present murky political and economic climate.
In the same period last year, the show racked up sales of 4,332 units. Most of the vehicles sold so far this year were reserved on Saturday, according to organisers. The Toyota camp snatched the highest sales, of 1,400 units, followed by 800 Isuzus, 410 Chevrolets, 404 Hondas and 143 Mitsubishis. The motor show is an indicator of the auto industry's outlook for the rest of this year. Auto companies are hopeful it will re-ignite interest in new vehicles, after an annualised drop in sales of more than 20 per cent in the first two months. They are still hopeful that about 700,000 units will be sold this year. The Industry Ministry says that after the motor show, auto companies will review their sales targets. The show, being held at Bitec, Bang Na, opened last Friday and will close on Sunday. It expects to attract 1.5 million visitors. Organising committee chairman Prachin Eamlumnow said last week he was unable to predict how many vehicles would be sold this year. Usually about 15,000 orders are placed. Vice chairman Jaturont Komolmit said that on average the show attracted 100,000 visitors per day. "The Bangkok Motor Show is regarded by foreign investors and the media as the biggest auto event in the Asean region. To the public, this is a chance to explore new technology, new designs and the colourful environment created by auto and motorcycle companies," he said. A market survey by Synovate, released yesterday, shows that most Thais are excited about the motor show. Conducted in the two weeks before the show kicked off, it covered 1,000 respondents aged between 15 and 64. Thirty per cent said they would definitely visit the show. Of these, 42 per cent of male respondents said designs and exciting shows attract them most, while 24 per cent of women said they would go to experience the excitement. The survey also shows that the event is attracting people from all walks of life, regardless of their income. Most of them plan to visit Toyota, Honda, BMW and Mercedes Benz booths, and the most popular brands for car buyers are Toyota, Honda and Isuzu. Asked what make of vehicle they will buy next, 47 per cent chose Toyota, 28 per cent Honda, and 12 per cent Isuzu. While Toyotas attract both men and women, Hondas are more attractive to women and more popular among single people. While attracting both men and women, Isuzus are popular among married people.
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